Current Study proves: Saxony-Anhalt is popular with foreign investors

According to the yearly compiled European Investment Monitor from the economy assessment company  Ernst & Young, alltogether 30 foreign companies in 2013 have made economic investments, either to establishing a new company in Saxony-Anhalt, or expanding an existing one, in order to increase their production capacity. Thus the state has reached double the amount of investments as in the previous year. Among the east German federal states, Saxony-Anhalt occupies the top position. In a country wide comparison, Saxony-Anhalt ranks at number 6. Compared with the previous year, the state looks back at the strongest rise in direct investments: With a growth of 114%, it leaves all the other states lagging behind.

Also in terms of the employment balance, Saxony-Anhalt stands out in the Federal State Ranking. In total, 1531 new jobs could be created through international holdings. More jobs were created according to the study only in North Rhine-Westphalia. With this activity, Saxony-Anhalt finds itself even above Baden-Württemberg, which, with 1.493 new jobs, lies at Number 3 in the rankings. With a plus from over 300% in comparison to the previous year, Saxony-Anhalt, in relation to foreign direct investment throughout the federal states, also recorded the biggest increase in new job offers.

Dr. Carlhans Uhle, Manager of the Investment and Marketing Corporation Saxony-Anhalt, sees the work of his association confirmed through through study’s results. „As the state’s economic development agency, we support companies in every phase of the investment process, from the search for an appropriate location, to contacting the officials up to funding possibilities. The study from Ernst & Young confirmed the growing interest of foreign investors in Saxony-Anhalt, as we also experience it in our daily work. This success is a substantial confirmation for the dynamic development of Saxony-Anhalt as an industrial location.“ At the same time Uhle points out: „We are aware that we in particular still have a improvement potential especially concerning the awareness of Saxony-Anhalt abroad. However, here we are on a good way.“

Also for Hartmut Möllring, Saxony-Anhalt Minister of Science and Economic Affairs, the numbers of the study are proof that the state among other Central German federal states offers the most attractive industrial location conditions: „Saxony-Anhalt is still, and has been since many years, highly popular with foreign investors. One reason for this is the excellent transport infrastructure right in the middle of Europe; road, rail, water, air. Also the economic training in our universities is very sought after: We can offer exemplary trained and committed personnel. And this also gets around even abroad.“

The biggest investment last year was the new IBM establishment in Magdeburg, with 300 new jobs. Most of the promoted foreign investment projects in 2013 were made by companies in Austria, followed by the Netherlands, as well as China, France, India, Ireland, Canada, Poland, Switzerland, South Africa and the USA at ranking 3. Between 2000 and the end of March 2014 in Saxony-Anhalt, there have been promoted a total of 208 foreign investment plans from countries abroad. The first three ranked between the USA, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Contact:
Dr. Carlhans Uhle
Managing Director
Investment and Marketing Corporation Saxony-Anhalt
Am Alten Theater 6
39104 Magdeburg
Germany
Telephone: +49 391 568 99 0
E-Mail:welcome@img-sachsen-anhalt.de